In biblical times, minstrels were musicians or singers who played a role in various cultural and religious contexts. The term "minstrel" is often associated with those who performed music, sometimes with instruments, to accompany significant events or to express lamentation. The role of minstrels can be seen in both the Old and New Testaments, where music and song were integral to worship, celebration, and mourning.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, music was a vital part of Israelite culture and worship. The Levites, for example, were appointed to be musicians in the temple, playing instruments and singing praises to God. While the term "minstrel" itself is not frequently used, the concept is present in the roles of these temple musicians.

One notable instance of a minstrel-like figure is found in 2 Kings 3:15, where the prophet Elisha calls for a musician to play music to help him receive a word from the Lord: "But now, bring me a harpist." As the harpist played, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha. This passage highlights the belief in the power of music to create an atmosphere conducive to divine revelation.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the presence of minstrels is noted in the context of mourning. In Matthew 9:23, when Jesus arrives at the house of Jairus, whose daughter had died, He encounters flute players and a noisy crowd. The Berean Standard Bible states: "When Jesus entered the house of the synagogue leader, He saw the flute players and the noisy crowd." These flute players were likely hired mourners, a common practice in Jewish culture to express grief and lamentation.

Cultural and Religious Significance

Minstrels, as musicians and singers, played a significant role in the cultural and religious life of the biblical world. Music was not only a form of artistic expression but also a means of connecting with the divine, celebrating victories, and mourning losses. The use of music in worship is evident throughout the Psalms, which were often sung with instrumental accompaniment.

The role of music in prophecy, as seen with Elisha, underscores the belief in its spiritual power. Similarly, the presence of minstrels in mourning rituals reflects the communal nature of grief and the use of music to articulate sorrow.

Conclusion

While the specific term "minstrel" may not be prevalent in biblical texts, the functions they performed are deeply embedded in the scriptural narrative. Whether in worship, prophecy, or mourning, the role of music and those who performed it was integral to the spiritual and communal life of the people of God.

Particulars
... Let us go on: When Jesus came into the ruler's house, he saw the minstrels and the
people making a noise, Matth: he seeth the tumult and them that wept greatly ...
/.../section ii particulars.htm

Answer to Mr. W's Sixth Objection.
... And it is true that our Lord, when he came into the ruler's house, and saw the
minstrels."He said unto then, Give place, for the maid is not dead but sleepeth ...
/.../section vi answer to mr.htm

Christmas
... Hail, all hail His wondrous birth. Minstrels from the realms of light,. ... Cradled
where His mother laid Him,. Who, by minstrels from the sky,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/brownlie/hymns of the early church/christmas.htm

Matt. Ix. 18
... 3. "And when He came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people
making a noise, He saith unto them, Give place, for the maid is not dead, but ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxxi matt ix 18.htm

Exhortation to Abandon the Impious Mysteries of Idolatry for the ...
... God the Father. Amphion of Thebes and Arion of Methymna were both minstrels,
and both were renowned in story. They are celebrated ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter i exhortation to abandon the.htm

David's Deserts
... flowery meads of May; under the forest boughs, where birds sang to their mates;
by the side of the winter hearth; from the lips of wandering minstrels; in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon iv davids deserts.htm

Conclusion
... When he came to the ruler's house, [48] and saw the minstrels and others making
a noise, he said unto them: Give place, for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. ...
/.../section iii conclusion.htm

Introduction
... all-dominating love of God. Francis held that the servants of the Lord
were nothing else than His minstrels. He taught his friars ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/introduction.htm

Jairus' Daughter.
... When they came to the ruler's house they saw the minstrels and many people who were
making much noise and lamentation for the dead girl, as was the custom. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the new testament/jairus daughter.htm

More and More
... Psalm 71:14. WHEN sin conquered the realm of manhood, it slew all the minstrels
except those of the race of Hope. For humanity, amid ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/more and more.htm

Minstrels (3 Occurrences)
...Minstrels (3 Occurrences). Matthew 9:23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house,
and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, (KJV WBS YLT). ...
/m/minstrels.htm - 7k

Flute (16 Occurrences)
... 3:5, 7, 10, 15. In Matthew 9:23, 24, notice is taken of players on the flute,
here called "minstrels" (but in RV "flute-players"). ...
/f/flute.htm - 13k

Mint (2 Occurrences)

/m/mint.htm - 9k

Singers (41 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 23:16 suggests that it was not uncommon for foreign female minstrels of
questionable character to be heard making "sweet melody," singing songs along ...
/s/singers.htm - 23k

Noise (126 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Matthew 9:23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw
the minstrels and the people making a noise, (KJV BBE WBS). ...
/n/noise.htm - 41k

Ladies (8 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV). Psalms 68:25 The singers went before, the minstrels followed after,
in the midst of the ladies playing with tambourines, (WEB). ...
/l/ladies.htm - 8k

Flute-players (2 Occurrences)
... Revelation 18:22 And the voice of harpers and minstrels and flute-players and
trumpeters shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever ...
/f/flute-players.htm - 7k

Tambourines (13 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 68:25 The singers went before, the minstrels followed
after, in the midst of the ladies playing with tambourines, (WEB NAS NIV). ...
/t/tambourines.htm - 10k

Trumpeters (4 Occurrences)
... Trumpeters (4 Occurrences). Revelation 18:22 The voice of harpists, minstrels, flute
players, and trumpeters will be heard no more at all in you. ...
/t/trumpeters.htm - 8k

Making (644 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Matthew 9:23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the
minstrels and the people making a noise, (KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV). ...
/m/making.htm - 34k

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